Former corrections officer sentenced to 30 years in prison

In the violent and difficult world of prisons, corrections officers are sometimes far worse criminals than the people they are charged with keeping in line. This fact became apparent with the conviction of an ex-prison guard from Rikers Island Jail in New York. The guard was sentenced to 30 years in prison for his involvement in the death of an inmate.

The 47-year-old prison guard was convicted of charges relating to the death of a 52-year-old prisoner. The prisoner was pinned down, while the convicted guard kicked him, resulting in death from brain bleeding. The corrections officer was further convicted of falsifying records, obstruction of justice and conspiracy relating to his efforts to hide the beating.

When sentencing the guard, the U.S. District Judge presiding over the matter said, “Mr. Coll kicked a man to death.” She described the incident as a “particularly vicious and callous attack.” During the court proceedings, prosecutors claimed that the prison guard kept a framed news article relating to the death in his bedroom. The judge said that the guard was keeping the article as if it were a trophy.

Prosecutors said that the fight with the deceased inmate happened after the inmate became agitated. He had been doing time relating to a burglary conviction, but he suffered from diabetes and kidney disease and walked with a cane. He was ill and his agitation related to him being denied an immediate visit with a doctor.

The facts of this case reveal the sad reality that many inmates face in the difficult world of prison. If you or a loved one is being mistreated in prison, a prisoner’s rights attorney can help.